The purpose of this project is to implement a standard and consistent design for '''article message boxes'''. That is, ''message boxes'' or ''article templates'' that go on the top of articles and article sections (or, in select cases, the bottom). Other kinds of ''article templates'' such as [[Template:Navbox|navigation boxes]] and [[Help:Infobox|infoboxes]] are not included here.

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{{style-guideline|WP:AMB|WP:AMBOX}}

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A standard and consistent design for '''article message boxes''' has been selected. That is, ''message boxes'' or ''article templates'' that go on the top of articles and article sections.

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== The Template ==

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The <nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:ArticleMessageBox|ArticleMessageBox]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki> template makes it easy to create article message boxes in the new design. Usage documentation and examples:

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== Scope ==

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{{:Article Message Box usage}}

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The scope of this page and standardisation effort is the design of '''article message boxes'''. That is, message boxes that go on the top of articles and article sections. Other kinds of ''article templates'' such as [[Template:Navbox|navigation boxes]] and [[Help:Infobox|infoboxes]] are not included.

* The wording of these message boxes is not under discussion at this time. Initial implementation will use the text from the existing "production" templates. The wording in the examples below is for illustration purposes only.

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''Project namespace templates'' such as the box on the top of this page ''are not within the scope'' of this standardisation effort.

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=== "Protection" templates ===

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{{tl|protected}}

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{{protected}}

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== New design is ready ==

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{{tl|Guidelinemessage}}

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{{Guidelinemessage}}

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The CSS code and meta template are finished and we have now (September 2007) started to convert the old [[Wikipedia:Template messages#Article-related namespace|article message boxes]] to the new design. The design of these article message boxes is controlled by the ''ambox CSS classes'' in [[MediaWiki:Common.css]].

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{{tl|Policymessage}}

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{{Policymessage|nocat=}}

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The meta template {{tl|ambox}} makes it easy to create article message boxes in the new design. It has usage documentation and examples. Note that {{tl|ambox}} is just a thin wrapper for the CSS classes.

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=== "Deletion issue" templates ===

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{{tl|delete}}

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{{delete|nocat=}}

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The CSS classes can also be used directly in a [[Help:Table|wikitable]] or [[HTML element#Tables|HTML table]], especially when special functionality is needed. The how-to guide [[Wikipedia:Ambox CSS classes]] describes that.

The tags that we use to notify people of problems within an article are on thousands of our pages. Our readers see them and judgements are made not only about the article at hand but about the project itself. Currently we have a myriad of templates that often share some level of consistency but still look very mismatched.

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{{tl|Expand2}}

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{{Expand2|nocat=}}

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The proposal below aims to address these issues. The thinking behind the design is:

Colour coding article message box templates will help to inform of the severity of the issues at a glance. Having a small amount of colour is best, as too much can be overwhelming.

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{{tl|Uncategorized}}

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{{Uncategorized|nocat=}}

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{{Wikipedia:Template standardisation/colorsample|#b22222|Deletion issues, such as {{tl|afd}} and {{tl|prod}}}}

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{{tl|Unreferenced}}

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{{Wikipedia:Template standardisation/colorsample|#f28500|Content issues, such as {{tl|POV}} and {{tl|globalize}}}}

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{{Unreferenced|nocat=}}

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{{Wikipedia:Template standardisation/colorsample|#f4c430|Style issues, such as {{tl|cleanup}} and {{tl|wikify}}}}

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{{Wikipedia:Template standardisation/colorsample|#9932cc|Merger, split and transwiki proposals, such as {{tl|split}} and {{tl|copy to wiktionary}}}}

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{{Wikipedia:Template standardisation/colorsample|#1e90ff|All other article notices, such as {{tl|current}}}}

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Currently under discussion at the talk page:

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{{tl|Needs sources}}

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{{Needs sources}}

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{{Wikipedia:Template standardisation/colorsample|#bba|Protection templates, such as {{tl|pp-protected}}}}

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=== "Style issue" templates ===

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{{tl|Cleanup}}

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{{Cleanup|article|nocat=}}

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==Alternate skins==

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{{tl|wikify}}

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{{wikify|article|nocat=}}

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It is possible to customize the appearance of ambox templates by adding to or altering the code in [[Special:Mypage/monobook.css|your monobook.css page]]. There are several pre-made "skins" available for this at [[Wikipedia:Ambox CSS classes/Skins]].

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{{tl|Confusing}}

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{{Confusing}}

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== Design ==

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=== "Article notice" templates ===

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{{tl|Info}}

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{{Info}}

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Please note:

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{{tl|Alert}}

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* The wording of these message boxes is not under discussion at this time. Initial implementation will use the text from the existing "production" templates. The wording in the examples below is for illustration purposes only.

| style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;" | '''This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|deletion policy]][[Template:Afd|.]]'''<br/>Please share your thoughts on the matter at '''[[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/{{{1|Template standardisation}}}|this article's entry]]''' on the Articles for deletion page. Feel free to edit the article, but the article must not be blanked, and this notice must not be removed, until the discussion is closed. For more information, particularly on merging or moving the article during the discussion, read the [[Wikipedia:Guide to deletion|guide to deletion]].<br/>

| style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;" | '''This page may meet Wikipedia’s [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|criteria for speedy deletion]].'''<br/>The given reason is: <i id="delete-reason">It is a very short article providing little or no context (<small>[[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#A1|CSD A1]]</small>), contains no content whatsoever (<small>[[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#A3|CSD A3]]</small>), consists only of links elsewhere (<small>CSD A3</small>) or a rephrasing of the title (<small>CSD A3</small>).</i><br/><small>Please consider placing {<nowiki>{subst:empty-warn|</nowiki>{{FULLPAGENAME}}}<nowiki>} ~~~~</nowiki> on the User Talk page of the author.</small>

| style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;" | '''The [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutrality]] of this article is [[Wikipedia:NPOV dispute|disputed]].''' <br/>Please see the discussion on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}#{{{1|}}}|talk page]].{{#if:{{{date|}}}|<br/><small>This article has been tagged since {{{date}}}.</small>}}

| style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;" | '''This article or section reads like an [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a soapbox|advertisement]].'''<br/>To meet Wikipedia's [[:Category:Wikipedia style guidelines|quality standards]] and comply with Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]] policy, it may require [[Wikipedia:Cleanup|cleanup]].

| style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;" | '''This {{{2|article or section}}} lacks formatting.'''<br/>Please [[Wikipedia:Glossary#Wikify|wikify]] it as suggested in the [[Wikipedia:Guide to layout|Guide to layout]] and the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]].

| style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;" | It has been suggested that this page or section be [[Wikipedia:Merging and moving pages|merged]] with ''[[WP:TS#"Merger and transwiki proposal" templates|Page title]]''. &nbsp;<nowiki>(</nowiki>[[Wikipedia talk:Template standardisation|discuss]])

| style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;" | '''The [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutrality]] of this article is [[Wikipedia:NPOV dispute|disputed]].''' <br/>Please see the discussion on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}#{{{1|}}}|talk page]].{{#if:{{{date|}}}|<br/><small>This article has been tagged since {{{date}}}.</small>}}

| style="padding: 0.25em 0.5em;" | '''This {{{2|article or section}}} lacks formatting.'''<br/>Please [[Wikipedia:Glossary#Wikify|wikify]] it as suggested in the [[Wikipedia:Guide to layout|Guide to layout]] and the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]].

Current revision

The purpose of this project is to implement a standard and consistent design for article message boxes. That is, message boxes or article templates that go on the top of articles and article sections (or, in select cases, the bottom). Other kinds of article templates such as navigation boxes and infoboxes are not included here.

Most Article message boxes have a background color of #fbfbfb (slightly off white), which is intended to contrast slightly with the full white (#ffffff) used for articles, while still being easy to read.

Design

Please note:

The wording of these message boxes is not under discussion at this time. Initial implementation will use the text from the existing "production" templates. The wording in the examples below is for illustration purposes only.

"Protection" templates

This article or section documents a MeritBadgeDotOrg guideline. It is a generally accepted standard that editors should follow, though it should be treated with common sense and the occasional exception. When editing this page, please ensure that your revision reflects consensus. When in doubt, discuss first on the talk page.

This page documents an official MeritBadgeDotOrg policy, an accepted standard that all users should follow. Before editing a page, please make sure that your revision reflects consensus. When in doubt, discuss first on the talk page of the article in question.

"Deletion issue" templates

This article has been nominated for deletion in accordance with MeritBadgeDotOrg's deletion policy. You may share your thoughts on the matter at this article's talk page. Feel free to edit this article; but, it must not be blanked, and this notice must not be removed until the discussion is closed by an administrator. For more information, read the guide to deletion.

"MeritBadgeDotOrg Alert Box" templates

"MeritBadgeDotOrg Maintenance" templates

New server. Welcome to our new server. We switched servers due to technical difficulties with the old server. Hopefully all problems have been resolved but if you see something that concerns you please report it in our forums. —Thanks, the MBO Staff

Technical difficulties. We're currently experiencing some technical difficulties -- this may be due to the MediaWiki software, the domain host, or some other problem. Please bear with us while we work to get the issue(s) resolved. —Thanks, the MBO Staff

Special announcement for volunteer leaders: The BSA's new, officalMyScouting portal at the National Council's website is now operational. We owe many thanks to National's webmasters who have worked so hard to get so many new and valuable features and resources up and running.